Former Fox News host Eric Bolling said he met with President Trump at the White House Tuesday to discuss tackling the nation’s opioid epidemic.
Mr. Bolling said Mr. Trump indicated that he was “stepping up” his efforts to combat the crisis after they spoke at length about the issue, The Hollywood Reporter reported. He also met with counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, who was tapped by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in November to oversee the White House response to the epidemic.
“Eric has committed to help the president and his administration as we endeavor to bend the curve and destroy this ’crisis next door,’” Mrs. Conway said in part in a statement to THR, adding that Mr. Bolling’s “ability to connect and communicate with people on a range of issues is well-known.”
Mr. Bolling praised Mr. Trump as “compassionate” and “empathetic” on the issue.
Just left the White House. Had a wonderful meeting on opioids with a compassionate and empathetic President @realDonaldTrump. #maga
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) January 23, 2018
I pray no one has to walk in mine. That’s why I am devoting so much of my life to the opioid crisis. I hope together we save many lives through awareness and action. https://t.co/hMtQZzO2ub
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) January 24, 2018
“They’re going to be using me to help develop some of these awareness initiatives,” Mr. Bolling told THR.
Mr. Bolling’s 19-year-old son, Eric Chase, was found dead of an accidental overdose in a Colorado apartment on Sept. 9 — hours after it was announced that his father had parted ways with Fox News amid allegations that he sent unsolicited lewd photographs to female colleagues.
Mr. Bolling told THR that Mr. Trump called him “more times than you can count on one hand” to check in on him and his family after Eric Chase’s passing.
“He’s been amazing,” Mr. Bolling said of the president.
“There’s nothing in it for him,” he added. “I’m not on air. I’m literally just a friend. He cares. He cares about a man who loses his son. It’s really heart-warming.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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